to enslave
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to enslave
To make someone a slave, that is, to take away their freedom and rights and force them to work under coercion and control.
Historisch gesehen wurden viele Völker besiegt und ihre Bevölkerung versklavt.
Historically, many peoples were defeated and their populations enslaved.
to enslave
In a figurative sense, to bring someone or oneself into extreme dependence on something, so that personal freedom is severely restricted.
Er fühlt sich von seiner Spielsucht völlig versklavt und schafft es nicht, davon loszukommen.
He feels completely enslaved by his gambling addiction and can't manage to break free from it.
The verb 'versklaven' (to enslave) is derived from the noun 'der Sklave' (slave). The inseparable prefix 'ver-' is used here to express a change of state: to make someone into a slave.
Die Eroberer versklavten die besiegte Bevölkerung.
The conquerors enslaved the defeated population.
'Versklaven' (to enslave) is a transitive verb that always requires an accusative object. This object is the person or group that is being enslaved.
Der Diktator versuchte, das ganze Volk zu versklaven.
The dictator tried to enslave the entire people.
The literal meaning refers to historical or political oppression. The figurative meaning describes a strong psychological dependence, for example on work, consumption, or technology.
In der Antike war es üblich, Kriegsgefangene zu versklaven.
In antiquity, it was common to enslave prisoners of war.
In the figurative meaning, 'versklaven' (to enslave) is often used with the preposition 'von' (by) to name the cause of the dependence. One can feel enslaved 'von der Arbeit' (by work), 'von einer Sucht' (by an addiction), or 'vom Geld' (by money).
Er fühlt sich von seiner Routine völlig versklavt.
He feels completely enslaved by his routine.
to subjugate
Both verbs describe severe coercion and the loss of freedom. „Versklaven“ specifically means making people slaves and forcing them to work. „Knechten“ can also refer more generally to extreme oppression and exploitation without explicitly referring to slave status.
Der Herrscher versklavte die Gefangenen und zwang sie zur Arbeit.
The ruler enslaved the prisoners and forced them to work.
Der Herrscher knechtete die Bauern durch Zwangsarbeit und harte Strafen.
The ruler subjugated the peasants through forced labor and harsh punishments.
